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Savoring Philippine cuisine’s rare ingredients, hidden flavors
By Cristina DC Pastor Amy Besa’s curiosity about Philippine delicacies that are off the beaten path began with the Cab-cab. A food scholar, she first tasted these paper-thin wafers made from cassava pulp in Bohol. She would later learn they are available around the country but known by different names — Kuping in Bicol, Kiping […]
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This year’s TOFA honorees: Profiles in excellence (Part 2)
Assemblymember Rob Bonta was elected to the California State Assembly’s 18th District in 2012, where he represents the cities of Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro as the first and only Filipino American legislator in the 165-year history of California. It was his parents who instilled in him at a very young age the concepts of […]
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Community in shock over closing of Payag Restaurant; owner calls it a ‘wise decision’
By Cristina DC Pastor Payag Restaurant in Queens, known for its regional dishes from Cebu province and the Visayas, is closing after seven years. “Thank you for the wholehearted support for the past years. It is with a heavy heart that we announce officially the closing of Payag restaurant until July 31, 2017,” writes proprietor […]
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Filipino Restaurant Week: Not a food review
By Cristina DC Pastor Filipino Restaurant Week – two weeks actually – is winding down. It was a great excuse to visit restaurants that are off the beaten path, or to try Pinoy food fused with another culture’s culinary concoctions. In the last two years that I’ve made FRW an occasion to hang out with […]
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A conversation with my Filipino mother-in-law about food safety
By Kristen Booze U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service Two years ago, I married into a Filipino-American family, and have learned a bunch about the culture through my magnificent mother-in- law and all of my new Filipina “titas” or “aunties.” Very early on, I witnessed how Filipinos often show their love through […]
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The pioneers, the 2nd-gen, and social media: Their role in elevating Philippine cuisine
Consul General Tess Dizon-De Vega with chefs and restaurant owners: A variety of platform and chefs with their own creative ideas pushed Philippine cuisine to the forefront By Cristina DC Pastor We love to eat, we have great tasting food, why not invite our American friends to enjoy our favorite food and have a captivating […]
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‘Filipinos don’t cook as much anymore’ – Erwin Santos of FilStop
By Cristina DC Pastor Who else would be so brazen to make this declaration but Erwin Santos, 44, president of FilStop, a leading Filipino grocery store in Jersey City. Initiated into the family business as a young boy, Erwin has seen the Filipinos’ shifting shopping habits over the years. “Ten years ago people cooked so […]
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The FilAm at 6: Growing, continuing to explore the community, and asking a lot of questions
By Cristina DC Pastor The FilAm online magazine maintains its standing among the ranks of independent ethnic media publications in the New York area. We couldn’t be prouder. We would like to report a surge in readership (‘views’ in digital jargon) in the past year. I, as Founding Editor, was thrilled beyond all expectation. In […]
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Diplomats enjoy Filipino hors d’oeuvres at Foreign Consuls food festival
In an event featuring authentic national food and cultural performances, the Philippine Consulate joined 24 consulates general in New York that participated in the Society of Foreign Consuls in New York (SOFC) International Food Festival. Consul Felipe Carino III and Cultural Officer Olive Magpile led the consulate delegation to the event held at the Gandhi […]